---
title: "IP rating (IP67, IPX4) — what it means"
description: "How well the enclosure keeps out solids and water. First digit solids 0–6, second digit water 0–9. What the symbol looks like, what happens if you ignore it, and whe"
url: https://atoneplace.net/symbol/electrical-ip-rating/
site: "At One Place"
---

# IP rating (IP67, IPX4)

**IP rating (IP67, IPX4): How well the enclosure keeps out solids and water. First digit solids 0–6, second digit water 0–9.**

IP68

## What it looks like

The letters IP followed by two characters, such as IP67, IP44 or IPX4.

## What it means

An X in either position means that hazard was not tested, so IPX7 says nothing about dust. On the water scale the numbers are not a simple ladder: 4 is splashing from any direction, 5 and 6 are jets, 7 is immersion at one metre for thirty minutes and 8 is immersion at a depth the manufacturer defines, which is why two IP68 devices can have very different ratings. A device rated 7 or 8 has not necessarily been tested against jets, so a shower can exceed what an immersion rating covers. All testing uses fresh, still water — salt water, chlorinated pools, soap and hot water are all outside it, and seals age.

> Defined by IEC 60529. Where a symbol differs between standards, the difference is described above rather than resolved — both versions are in circulation on real labels.

## Other electrical and appliance symbols

| Symbol | Means |
| --- | --- |
| CE mark | The manufacturer declares the product meets the EU rules that apply to it. |
| UKCA mark | The manufacturer declares the product meets Great Britain's rules — the British counterpart to CE. |
| UL Listed | A complete product tested by Underwriters Laboratories against its safety standard. |
| UL Recognized Component | A component certified for use inside a larger product — not a certification of the finished item. |
| FCC mark | The device meets US limits on radio-frequency interference. |
| RoHS compliant | The product restricts ten hazardous substances, including lead, mercury, cadmium and four phthalates. |
| Crossed-out wheelie bin (WEEE) | Do not put this in household waste — take it to a separate collection for electrical items or batteries. |
| Crossed-out bin with Pb, Cd or Hg | A battery for separate collection which also contains lead, cadmium or mercury above the reporting threshold. |
| Double insulated (Class II) | The appliance is protected by two layers of insulation and needs no earth connection. |
| Protective earth (ground) | This terminal must be connected to the protective earth conductor. |
| EU energy label (A to G) | How efficient the appliance is, on a scale from A to G, alongside consumption figures. |
| EnergyGuide label (US) | The estimated annual energy cost of this appliance in the US, and how it compares with the range for its class. |
| Alternating current (AC) | Alternating current. On a power supply it marks the mains input side. |
| Direct current (DC) | Direct current. On a power supply it marks the output side. |
| Barrel jack polarity (centre positive or centre negative) | Which conductor of a barrel plug is positive: the inner pin or the outer sleeve. |

## Common questions

### What does the ip rating (ip67, ipx4) symbol mean?

How well the enclosure keeps out solids and water. First digit solids 0–6, second digit water 0–9.

### What does it look like?

The letters IP followed by two characters, such as IP67, IP44 or IPX4.

## Related pages

- [Double insulated (Class II)](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/electrical-double-insulated/)
- [Dishwasher safe](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/cookware-dishwasher-safe/)
- [CE mark](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/electrical-ce/)
- [UKCA mark](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/electrical-ukca/)
- [UL Listed](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/electrical-ul-listed/)
- [UL Recognized Component](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/electrical-ul-recognized/)
- [FCC mark](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/electrical-fcc/)
- [RoHS compliant](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/electrical-rohs/)
- [Crossed-out wheelie bin (WEEE)](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/electrical-weee/)
- [Crossed-out bin with Pb, Cd or Hg](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/electrical-battery-bin/)
- [Double insulated (Class II)](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/electrical-double-insulated/)
- [Protective earth (ground)](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/electrical-protective-earth/)

## Sources

- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)